Once again this holiday season, a dedicated Freedom Foundation canvasser donned a Santa suit and hit the streets of Pennsylvania and Ohio to share an important message with public employees: They have the right to opt out of union dues.
The effort was part of our ongoing mission to ensure workers understand their rights and feel empowered to make their own decisions.
His journey was filled with meaningful conversations, challenges, and even a little holiday cheer.
In Philadelphia, the surrogate Santa started at City Hall — a bustling hub of public employees that led to some impactful conversations.
One worker from the Department of Transportation expressed deep gratitude, saying, “They don’t spend my dues the way I’d like, and they’re hard to afford in this economy. Thank you for standing out here to share this.”
By the end of the day, it was clear our efforts were being noticed — someone followed him to his vehicle and took photos through the window, a sure sign Santa’s presence was being felt.
The next stop was Keystone Building and PennDOT offices. Understandably, many of the employees Santa encountered there were already not paying dues. Despite the cold, he even managed to bring smiles to a group of daycare children who stopped to take pictures with Santa.
The Rachel Carson Building turned out to be a high point of the trip. There, Santa was able to speak with numerous public employees, many of whom were completely unaware they could opt out of union dues.
While many were in a hurry, they accepted the materials enthusiastically.
The Santa suit was a great icebreaker, leading to several selfies with employees who were excited to see something festive on an otherwise chilly and snowy day.
Later visits to the Carson Building and the Public School Employees’ Retirement System office brought challenges. Security asked Santa to leave both locations, a clear indicator the union Grinches were taking notice.
Before being escorted out, though, Samta spoke with two employees who had already opted out of their unions.
They shared frustrations about union politics and the lack of meaningful representation, and both thanked him for providing accurate information to others.
In Ohio, our canvasser visited the Cuyahoga County Administrative Headquarters and the Greater Cleveland RTA Headquarters. At the county building, he handed out brochures and even received support from the head of security, who assured him he wouldn’t be removed and even posed for a selfie.
At the RTA headquarters, he spoke with an employee who described union dues as “too high for what they fail to offer.”
Altogether, the Freedom Foundation Santa handed out 223 brochures across Pennsylvania and Ohio, reaching countless employees who may not have been aware of their rights under the Janus v. AFSCME decision.
The jolly old elf’s creativity, dedication and resilience in the face of cold weather and occasional pushback made this campaign a success.
This effort reminds us why we do what we do. Public employees deserve to know they have a choice when it comes to union dues, and every conversation helps spread that message. If you’re wondering about your rights or want to help others understand theirs, visit OptOutToday.com.
Together, we can ensure workers are informed and empowered to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
